GIS to help you get there without getting lost
By Mercy Wambui, ECA
28 February 2005

A seminar aimed discussing the merits of a proposed functional addressing system for Africa, was held by the Development Information Services Division (DISD) on 25 February 2005 at the UN Conference Centre.

Making the presentation was Mr. Remy Sietchiping, whose main argument was that recent developments in geoinformation technologies provide a unique opportunity to develop and implement a functional addressing system tailored to African realities.

"Streets and properties in most African cities are poorly named and numbered in both rural and urban areas. They are often characterized by a lack of a physical address, poor signing or a duality of official and popular naming practices." Said Mr. Sietchiping.

He highlighted the economic benefits that governments and the private sector can gain from a functional addressing system, such as more equitable and efficient determination and collection of property-based revenue, where neighborhood and proximity factors are taken into consideration. "Utility companies can offer better metering and collection and optimization of routes for services and there would be efficiency in delivery of government and commercial services." He said.

"Even in slums, the right to having an address is critical for the delivery of much-needed social and emergency services. People living in slums have a right to be identified, located and have their mail delivered to them." He said. He also clarified to participants that a functional addressing system does not mean only formalizing a well-structured or middle class environment.

Given the lack of formal naming structures in Africa, Mr. Sietchiping advocated for an addressing system that incorporates local knowledge and landmarking. He pointed out that the city of Addis Ababa has seen new names assigned to all the major roads. "Despite the good intentions of the municipality, however, popular names for most roads and landmarks still prevail."

"We need to learn lessons from countries that have succeeded, such as Enugu State in Nigeria and Lusaka in Zambia. Said Mr. Chukuwdozie Ezigbalike, and added that "in proposing new systems, we have to start with the human consumer and involve them in a cultural naming convention that makes sense to them."

In the context of ongoing work on core data sets for spatial data infrastructure, DISD will be proposing that data required to implement and maintain this system should be included in its ongoing work with African countries. "We are going to be identifying partners with whom we could develop a pilot project based on a collective work plan."

Contributions from the floor emphasized the importance of lessons learnt, best and worst practices and concluded that top down menus that lack cultural sensitivity may not be sustainable in the long-run.

Who knows? In a few years time, African countries might very well experience a culturally-oriented naming convention, powered by GIS databases that will hopefully move us away from belabored directions --"when you get to the main road, turn left and you’ll see a red coca cola sign and then turn left and you’ll see a blue and white gate opposite Lela Milk kiosk?!?. This could be the beginning of a new future, an African GIS-powered future - where in any part of Africa, you can get into a taxi and say "Please take me to No. 10 Ngugi wa Thiong’o street".

A copy of the presentation and the concept paper is attached.

Contact:

Remy Sietchiping (rsietchiping@uneca.org) for more information.

For more information on DISD and its geoinformation activities, go to http://www.uneca.org/disd/geoinfo/default.htm